Electrical key for ignition systems

ABSTRACT

An electrical key for vehicular ignition systems having ignition system adapters that are irremovably interposed between a predetermined number of spark plug cable receptacles and their distributor contacts. The adapters being of two types, a normally open contact type that is activated by the electrical key and a normally closed contact type not affected by the electrical key. The electrical key including an electrical coded key element working in conjunction with an electrical coded key adapter, when the key element is inserted therein, to produce an electrical continuity in the vehicular ignition system. The key adapter also having wound-up means which will reject the key element when the key is in the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position while when rotated in the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position will be held in place to cause current to flow through the coded electrical circuitries to the spring loaded solenoid of the system adapters in starting the vehicular engine.

[ May 2, 1972- [54] ELECTRICAL KEY FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS [72] Inventor:George Bell, 420 Fairview Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ. 07024 22 Flledi Feb.12,1970

21 Appl.No.: 10,917

' Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.875,334, Nov. 8,

52 us. c1 ..200/44, 70/239, 70/388, 70/1310. 46, 307/10 AT 51 1. 1111.C1. ..E05b 17/00, l-lOlh 27/08 58 Field of Search ..200/42, 44, 61.66;340/52, 340/64; 307/10 AT; 180/114; 70/237, 238, 239, D16. 46, 388

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS- 1,351,973 9/1920 Stone..200/42 R 2,105,304 l/l938 Wagner ...200/61.66 x 2,1 16,246 5/1938Macdonald. ..200/44 2,140,812 12/1938 Ratti ..200/44 x 2,868,905 1/1959Meyer ....200/44 x 2,921,152 1/1960 Simjian ..200/44 x 6/1964 Richard..307/10 AT 3,190,979 6/1965 Rose et al. ....200/44 X 3,222,534 12/1965Scott ....200/44 X 3,266,278 8/1966 Ennitt ....200/44 X 3,295,343 1/1967Beebe et al. ..70/388 Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer AssistantExaminer-William J. Smith Attorney-Constantine A. Michalos [57] ABSTRACTAn electrical key for vehicular ignition systems having ignition systemadapters that are irremovably interposed between a predetermined numberof spark plug cable receptacles and i their distributor contacts. Theadapters being of two types, a

normally open contact type that is activated by the electrical key and anormally closed contact type not affected by the electrical key. Theelectrical key including an electrical coded key element working inconjunction with an electrical coded key adapter, when the key elementis inserted therein, to produce an electrical continuity in thevehicular ignition system. The key adapter also having wound-up meanswhich will reject the key element when the key is in the ofF positionwhile when rotated in the on position will be held in place to causecurrent to flow through the coded electrical circuitries to the springloaded solenoid of the system adapters in starting the vehicular engine.

32 33 I9 1 30' S17 gI8 y, 35 20 LT PATENTEDMM 21972 SHEET 2 UF 2 ue I I24 02 ma j/ o o o o 0 0M 2 o o 2 2 44 4 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. GEORGE BEL. L

ATTORNEY ELECTRICAL KEY FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of a priorapplication titled Electrical Lock For Ignition Systems filed by thesame applicant of the present invention dated Nov. 8, 1969, Ser. No.875,334.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tovehicular ignition systems and more particularly to an electric keyhaving adapters in combination with electrical circuits for providing asub- I stantially tamper proof circuit system that will delay the theftof an automobile or other vehicles having the ignition systems byconfusing the electrical circuit connection to prevent or disorganizeany current that may be directed to the spark plugs.

Yearly, thousands of cars are stolen or used fora joy ride byunauthorized individuals. The unauthorized use of these vehicles causemore accidents and are damaged more often than other cars, resultinginhuman and monetary loss.

I-Ier'etofore many devices have been proposed to prevent the theft orthe unauthorized use of these vehicles, one such device used a relaywhich is operated to ground the lead connection of the ignition coilwith the distributor of the vehicle when the ignition switch. isoperated to theon position by unauthorized persons. Other devices usedsome kind of burglar alarm mechanism to set ofia signaliwhen anunauthorized person tamperedwiththe ignition system.

Furthermore, other devices were used wherein the sole theft preventionmeans compriseda switchin the ignition circuit which may be locked in acircuitopen position.

Substantially all these devices were unsatisfactory because I thesesystems required little effort or skill to circumvent them and start thevehicular or'car engine. By simply attaching a jumper wire betweenappropriate points in the ignition circuit, exposed beneath the hoodofthe car, the car engine would be started. 1

The primary purpose of this invention therefore is to accept the factthat unauthorized person will tamper with the electrical circuit of thevehicular ignition system. That the unauthorized person will try to jumpwires or connect wires or disconnect wires in the ignition system in hiseffort to start the engine.

In this invention by irremovably attaching adapters to four ormoredistributor spark plug cable receptacles, wherein each adapter has afemale receptacle to. receive the spark plug cable which was removedfrom the distributor cap and a male receptacle to be inserted in thedistributor cap, the invention will in most cases stop or delay thestarting of the engine. Each adapter will be equipped with four wires ofwhich a selected two will allow a continuity of electric current to thespark plug cable.

In addition, using an electrical key having a key element with anelectrical coded circuitry working in conjunction with an'electricalcoded circuitry of a key adapter, when the key element 'is insertedtherein, to produce an electrical continuity in the vehicular ignitionsystem, the system will be turned on to-allow the current to flowthrough the system adapters to the spark plugs to start the engine.

Without 'the use of the coded electrical key it would require theunauthorized user to jump wires which may otherwise should not have beenconnected. The jumping of these wires may cause the battery to begrounded out preventing the start of'the engine. By thus confusion ofthe adapter wires this invention will prevent or at least delay the cartheft or the use of the car by unauthorized persons.

Therefore, an object of thisinvention is to provide for an electricalkey for a vehicular ignition system which will confuse the ignitionelectrical circuit if any unauthorized persons tampers with saidcircuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide for an electrical key fora vehicularignition system having adapters forirremovable connecting aspark plug cable receptecle to a distributer contact where the adapteris preselectively set beforehand to operate either in a normally open orin a normally closed position, and wherein the adapter includes anelectric circuit which requires a knowledge of the combination of thecircuit to enable the ignition system to function correctly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for an electricalkey for vehicular ignition systems for preventing theft of the vehicle,the key having an adapter operable by electrical circuits which adaptersare irremovably interposed between spark plug receptacles anddistribution contacts, and which adapters are easily assembled in anexisting vehicle and operable only by knowledge of the adapterselectrical circuit combination to start the vehicle engine.

An additional object of this invention is to provide for an electricalkey for a car ignition system having an adapter irremovably interposedbetween a spark plug receptacle and a distributor contact, said adapterhaving an electrical circuit with four wires of which a selected twowill allow a continuity of electric current to the spark plug and whichlock further includes an electric key to activate the adapterselectrical circuit to start the cars engine.

A further object of this invention is to provide for an electrical keyfor a car ignition system having a key element with coded electricalcircuitry thereon which works in conjunction with coded circuitry of keyadapter supported on the vehicle's firewall in front of the lock tounscramble a preselectively set electrical circuitry and thereby allow acontinuity of the elec- DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, part of which isin section, showing an electrical key for vehicular ignitionsystems'having an electrical coded key element and an electrical codedkey adapter, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the electrical key adapter of theelectrical key shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 are composite sectional views taken along line AA, BB and CCofFIG. 2; and,

FIG. 5, is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of one detailed codedarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, thereis shown an electrical key 10 for a vehicular ignition system includingan electrically coded key element 11 having a metalic key portion 12with a plurality of bitting steps 13 along one edge and an insulatedportion 14 with an electrically coded circuitry 15 incorporated therein.The electrical key 10 also includes an electrically coded key adapter 16connected to an ignition lock section 17 with a standard mechanical lockcylinder 18. The key adapter 16 and the lock 17 are supported on avehicular fire wall 19, as shown in FIG. 1.

The lock 17 includes the standard cylinder 18 having a plurality oftumblers 20 supported therein which are contacted by the bitting steps13 of the key element 11 when inserted in an adapter key hole 21. Eachof the tumblers 20 is operable by one bitting step 13 of the metalic keyportion 12 when rotated in the on position in the usual manner ofopening the lock.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key adapter 16 also includes an electricallycoded circuitry 22 which works in conjunction with the electrical codedcircuitry 15 of the coded key element 11 when the key 11 is insertedwithin the key hole 21 and rotated in the on" position, as hereinaftermore fully described.

Therefore, it should be understood that both the cooperation between theelectrically coded circuitry 15 and the electrically coded circuitry 22,and the proper engagement of the bitting steps 13 and the tumblers areneeded to rotate the key element 11 on the on position to produce anelectrical continuity in the vehicular ignitions system and therebypermit ignition to start the vehicular engine.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the key adapter 16 has wound-up meanswhich includes a pair of spring loaded hollow wind-up rollers 23 and 24which are wound-up when the key 11 is inserted in the adapter key hole21 formed by the two rollers 23 and 24.

The rollers 23 and 24 will wind-up when the key 11 is inserted but willreject the key if the key is not turned and the operators hand isremoved. That is, if the bitting steps 13 of the key element 11 do notwork in conjunction with the cylinders tumblers 20 to permit rotation ofthe key 11, the key 11 will be rejected.

The wound-up means further includes a pair of opposed springs 25 and 26inwardly force two pairs of opposed pins 27 about which the two rollers23 and 24 are rotatably supported. On the upper pins 27, as viewed inFIG. 3, are anchored one end of a pair of springs 28 and 29. The springs28 and 29 are anchored at their other ends on brackets 30 and 31 on theinside diametrical surface of the rollers 23 and 24.

Therefore, the two springs 25 and 26 tend to make the key hole 21smaller, inwardly forcing the rollers 23 and 24 toward the verticalcenter line of the wound-up means and towards the key 11 when it isinserted therein and the two springs, 28 and 29 tend to push the keyoutwardly as it is inserted within the key hole 21. These two springactions cause the rejection of the key 1 1, if not turned on the onposition. That is, when the key element 11 is inserted within theadapter 16 the springs 28 and 29 will wind up and cause an outwardforce, unless the key 11 can be rotated in cooperation with the tumblers20 and the key bitting steps 13 of the metalic key position of the key11. Therefore, in order for the key element 11 to work within the lock17 and adapter 16 it has to cooperate both with the tumbler system aswell as with the coded electrical system.

When the key 11 is then rotated in the on position it will be locked inplace to cause current to flow through the coded electrical circuitries15 and 22, to the spring loaded solenoids of the system adapters instarting the vehicular engine.

Referring in addition, to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the key adapter16 is shown including a segmented twelve point rotary contact switch 32having a stationary insulated section disk 33 with twelve resilientelectrical contact terminals 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308,309, 310, 311 and 312 and a rotary insulated section disk 33A with 12electrical terminals 321, 322, 345, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, and332 connected to a plurality of center spring loaded terminals 100 of areceptacle 35 by conductors 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351 and 352.

The stationary disk 33 is attached to the fire wall 19, as shown in FIG.1, while the rotary disk 33A is integral to the rotating part of theadapter 16 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the adapter 16 includes the receptacle 35 which issubstantially the same as the receptacle 35 of the copending applicationfiled by the same applicant of this invention as hereinbefore outlined.

Therefore when the key element 11 is inserted within the key adapter 16and rotated to the on" position terminals 301 to 312 will be in contactwith terminals 321 to 332, respectively.

In this position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the key element 11 is inthe on position which permits electric current from a battery 36 whichis connected through conductor 37 to ground 68, to be directed through afuse 38 and conductor 39 to the terminal 310 of the stationary disk 33.

When the key element 11 is inserted within the receptacle 35 it willpermit current from terminal 310 contacting terminal 330 of the rotarydisk 33A;through conductor 350 to spring loaded terminal 34 of thereceptacle 35, through a conductor 40 of the key element 11 to springloaded terminal 44 of the receptacle 35. The electric current continuesthrough conductor 341 to another terminal 321 of the disk 33A wherein itcontacts terminal 3010f the disk 33 and from which it is directedthrough conductor 46 to system adapter 52.

Therefore, when the key element 11 is still within the receptacle 35 itwill also connect a receptacle terminal 58 through key conductor 60 toreceptacle terminal 64. In the other direction the terminal 58 isconnected through conductor 66 to ground 68. Continuing in the firstdirection, when the key 11 is inserted in receptacle 35 it will permitcontinuity from terminal 58 through the conductor 60 of the key 11 tothe terminal 64 and through conductor 342, past contacts 322 and 302 andconductor 70 to the adapter 52.

The remainder of the conductors connected to the right side portion asviewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 of receptacle 35, such as conductors 81, 82 and83, which in turn are connected to terminals 84, 85 and 86, areconfusional dummy conductors which are connected to the circuitry of theadapters, as hereinafter more fully described.

Another conductor 88, which is connected to terminal of the receptacle35, is grounded through a jack 92, to receptacle terminal 94 throughconductor 96 to ground 68. Here again the jack 92 is in the closedposition until the electric key element 11 is inserted within thereceptacle 35 to open the jack 92 and thus discontinue the electricalcontinuity between terminals 90 and 94. The conductor 88 in turn, isconnected to any one or more adapters, at their positive terminals, ashereinafter more fully described. The jack 92 is kept in an openposition by an insulated portion 98 when the key 1 1 is inserted withinthe receptacle 35.

Referring to FIG. 5 a more detailed description of one possiblecombination of the electrical key connection system is shown. Theelectric key 10 in this connection system includes one normally opencontact type adapter 52 and one normally closed contact type adapter130. It should be understood that any number of adapters can be used,limited only to the number of spark plug receptacles. The more adaptersthe more electrical connection combinations can be created.

The electrical circuit of the FIG.-5 of this invention is the same asthe electrical circuit of FIG. 2 of the invention described in thecopending application referred herein wherein the conductors 40 and 60of the key element 11 are the same as conductors 40 and 60 of the key 36and which operably connect the terminals 34 and 44, and 58 and 64 of thereceptacle 35, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fuse 38, is connected to the battery 36, andterminals 101 and 102, are connected to positive terminals and 152 ofadapter 52 through conductors 1 12 and 118, respectively. The terminal44 of the receptacle 35 is connected to a positive terminal 154 of theadapter 52.

The terminal 64 of the receptacle 35, which is connected to ground 68when the key 11 is inserted within the receptacle 35, is connected to anegative terminal of the adapter 52 through the conductor 70.

As further shown in FIG. 5 the terminals 84, 85 and 86 of receptacle 35are respectively connected to negative terminal 161, positive terminal162 and positive terminal 163 of the adapter 130, by conductors 81, 82and 83 respectively. The terminal 90 of jack is connected throughconductor 88 to positive tenninal 164 of the adapter 130.

FIG. 5 also shows the method by which the adapters, such as adapters 52and 130, are connected to the ignition system of the vehicle.

Adapter 52 includes an electrical male contact pin which is irremovablelocked within female receptacle 172 of a vehicle distributor 360. Thatis the contact pin 170 includes a one way lock clip 174 which wheninserted within the female receptacle 172 is locked in place and cannotbe removed without breaking or destroying the vehicle distributor or theadapter 52.

This, in effect, would destroy the electrical continuity of the adaptercircuit which in turn, confuse the current flowing to the ignitionsystem and prevent the starting of the engine.

Further, adapter 52 includes receptacles 176 in which the spark plugcable 127 is received. The spark plug cable also has attached thereon aone way lock clip 178 which when inserted within spark plug cablereceptacle 176 of the adapter 52 is irremovably secured within theadapter 52.

The adapter 52 includes a solenoid 200 which is spring loaded in anormally open position by spring 202 bearing between adapter housing 204and piston 206 of the solenoid 200. When the solenoid 200 is activatedthe piston 206 will move in a direction shown by arrow 214 to connectterminals 208 and 210. When the terminals 208 and 210 are connectedelectric current will be directed through the distributor receptacle172, through the contact pin 170 to the contact 210, through piston 206to contact 208, through spark plug receptacle 176, through the sparkplug cable 127 to the spark plug (not shown).

Adapter 130 includes an electrical male contact pin 220 which isirremovably locked within female receptacles 222 of the distributor 361.That is the contact pin 220 includes a one way lock clip 224 topermanently secure the pin 220 within receptacle 222 when the pin 220 isinserted therein. Here again the adapter 130 cannot be removed withoutdestroying the adapter 130 and/or distributor. The spark plug cable 122also has attached thereon a one way clip 228 which when inserted withinspark plug cable receptacal 226 it will be irremovably secured therein.

The adapter 130, being a normally closed contact adapter, includes asolenoid 230 which is spring loaded in a normally closed position byspring 232 bearing between adapter housing 234 and piston 236 ofsolenoid 230. When the solenoid 230 is activated the piston 236 willmove in a direction shown by arrow 244 to disconnect terminals 238 and240 which would prevent current flowing to the spark plug and thusprevent starting of the engine. It should be noted therefore, that whenthe terminals 238 and 240 are connected, electric current will bedirected through the distribution receptacle 222, through the contactpin 220 to contact 240, through piston 236 to contact 238, through sparkplug receptacle 226, through the spark plug cable 122 to the spark plug(not shown).

Therefore, through the medium of this invention, the starting of theengine by tampering with the ignition system by an unauthorized personwould in most cases be deterred. This invention further, wouldsubstantially eliminate or at least delay the unauthorized person fromstarting said engine. The ignition system could not be jumped to startthe engine without knowing the complex combinations of the adapterelectrical lines presented to him. Each adapter will be equipped withthe four wires of which a selected two shall allow a continuity from thedistributor through the adapter to the spark plug. The more adaptersused the more combinations will be available to the system. This willdelay the theft of the car through the confusion of the adapter circuitand in turn, prevent the ignition circuit from being suitably connectedto the spark plugs of the engine thereby the unauthorized person shallbe deterred from stealing or taking the car.

If the wires are cut it will probably create an open circuit to thespark plugs and thus will prevent the continuity of electric currentthereto. If the wires are jumped, it will probably cause a normallyclosed solenoid to open and prevent current from flowing to the sparkplugs. In any event, any cutting or jumping without knowledge of thecircuit may confuse the ignition system and thus prevent the starting ofthe car engine.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, if an unauthorized person opensjacks 92 in order to insert a plastic or a metal between the jackterminals, he will have accomplished nothing because this will in no wayaffect the system. The jack 92 is used as an additional means ofdeterring the actual operation of the system by confusing the circuitry.If on the other hand the unauthorized person will tamper with and jump aconductor it may cause a normally close adapter to open or a normallyopen adapter to close or may ground out any current that should havebeen directed to the ada ters. Furthennore, if any conductors, such asconductors 11 46, 82 or 83, are

connected or jumped out as it may be usually perpetrated by anunauthorized person, there would be not effect to the system becausethese conductors are already connected to the adapter terminals, 150,154, 162 and 163, respectively. There are various combinations that canbe set by a car owner which must be known by any other party wishing toeffect a continuity in the ignition system to start the engine.

In addition, to the electrical combinations which must be known toeffect electrical continuity the person wishing to effect continuitymust be provided with the proper electrical key element which has acoded electrical circuitry to work in conjunction with the codedcircuitry of the key adapter to unscramble a preselectively setelectrical circuitry to permit continuity of the electrical circuitry tostart the vehicles engine. Even further than this electrical combinationthere is an additional mechanical combination that has to be provided onthe key element.

Therefore, the starting of this vehicular engine without the electricalkey becomes virtually impossible because it depends upon two entirelyseparate locking means which are further complicated by the false ordummy wiring.

While the present invention has been described in preferred embodiments,it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications can be made therein within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical key for a vehicular engine ignition system I comprisinglock means, and key means including the combination of mechanical meansfor opening said lock means and electrically coded circuitry means, saidlock means includes mechanical tumblers, and said key means includes anelectrically coded key element having a metallic key portion withbitting steps for cooperation with the tumblers of said lock means andan insulated portion with an electrically coded circuitry, and furthersaid key means having a key adapter with an electrically coded circuitryfor cooperation with the electrically coded circuitry of the insulatedportion of said key element, and further wherein said lock meansincludes a key hole and said adapter includes receptacle means having akey hole in line with the key hole of said lock'means and saidelectrically coded circuitry incorporated about said key hole forreceiving said key element therein for its coded electrical circuitrycooperating therewith in producing continuity of the ignition electricalcircuitry in starting the engine, said receptacle includes a pluralityof spring loaded terminals for effecting contact with the electricalcoded continuity of said key element in effecting continuity in theelectrical vehicular system, and wherein said receptacle furtherincludes wound-up means having a pair of spring loaded rollers formingthe receptacle key hole which winds up when said key element is insertedand operably rejects said key element if the key element does notcooperate with the tumblers of said lock means to turn it in the "onposition.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said receptacle further includes apair of opposed springs inwardly forcing said rollers for contactingsaid key element as it is inserted therein.

1. An electrical key for a vehicular engine ignition system comprisinglock means, and key mEans including the combination of mechanical meansfor opening said lock means and electrically coded circuitry means, saidlock means includes mechanical tumblers, and said key means includes anelectrically coded key element having a metallic key portion withbitting steps for cooperation with the tumblers of said lock means andan insulated portion with an electrically coded circuitry, and furthersaid key means having a key adapter with an electrically coded circuitryfor cooperation with the electrically coded circuitry of the insulatedportion of said key element, and further wherein said lock meansincludes a key hole and said adapter includes receptacle means having akey hole in line with the key hole of said lock means and saidelectrically coded circuitry incorporated about said key hole forreceiving said key element therein for its coded electrical circuitrycooperating therewith in producing continuity of the ignition electricalcircuitry in starting the engine, said receptacle includes a pluralityof spring loaded terminals for effecting contact with the electricalcoded continuity of said key element in effecting continuity in theelectrical vehicular system, and wherein said receptacle furtherincludes wound-up means having a pair of spring loaded rollers formingthe receptacle key hole which winds up when said key element is insertedand operably rejects said key element if the key element does notcooperate with the tumblers of said lock means to turn it in the''''on'''' position.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein saidreceptacle further includes a pair of opposed springs inwardly forcingsaid rollers for contacting said key element as it is inserted therein.